A couple have embarked on a backpacking adventure across the world – despite being in their sixties.
While it’s considered something of a rite of passage for youngsters in their late teens and twenties, Sheree Evans and Simon Kelly are re-defining the ‘gap year’.
After both turning 60 last year, the couple – who have children of typical backpacking age in their twenties – decided to throw caution to the wind and Sheree quit her job in order to set off on a globe-trotting journey.
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Having spent the year before saving up to ensure their mortgage, bills and expenses were covered, the duo have just arrived home from six months of travels.
The duo explored islands in Thailand, Kuala Lumpur and Bali, before heading on to Australia, the US, South America, Turkey and Italy.
They decided to bite the bullet after Sheree lost a close friend, who sadly passed aged just 62, spending £32,000 of savings on the epic adventure.
“It was always my plan to travel big for my sixtieth birthday, but losing my friend the previous year really spurred me on to get out and grab life while we both had our physical and mental health,” Sheree, from Hertfordshire, told What’s The Jam.
“We both feel young enough to enjoy the travelling experience in full.
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“We worked hard all of last year to ensure we took enough money to cover all of our travel expenses, and of course, the mortgage and bills at home still needed to be paid whilst we were travelling.
“I had to hand my notice in as we didn’t have a return date.
“It cost us £32,000 overall, including our outgoings at home while we were away.
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“We saved up for around 12 months before we set off, and already had some savings put aside too.
“It was a big expense, but it’s been so worth it.”
With their five daughters between them all grown up and with both able to take a leave of absence from work, nothing was stopping Sheree, who manages a residential children’s home, and Simon, who owns an executive car company, from jetting off in November.
They started the adventure in Thailand, visiting bustling Bangkok, and enjoying island life on Ko Samui and Krabi.
The couple travelled around on mopeds, as well as using public transport like Tuk Tuks, ferries and buses.
From Phuket, they flew to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, where they visited Petronas Towers and the Batu Caves.
Sheree said: “We were offered senior citizen bus passes when we went on the open-top city bus!
“I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but we accepted the passes and laughed.
“There’s a first time for everything.”
The travellers then flew to Bali to spend Christmas, where Sheree’s youngest daughter Pia, 23, joined them.
Sheree and Simon spent four weeks in Bali, exploring different areas and using “cheap and cheerful” transport to get around – although they got into hot water when the police pulled them over in Gili Meno and fined them £12 for driving mopeds without an international driving license.
But the minor drama was worth it for the stunning views they’ve seen along the way.
The jam-packed itinerary has included bucket list items like visiting an ethical elephant sanctuary, exploring a beach full of wild pigs, spending time at a turtle sanctuary and even snorkelling with the turtles, as well as seeing stunning wildlife and religious spots.
Travelling with a large backpack and a pull-along case, the only change the twosome have made to the traditional backpacking experience is upgrading from dorm rooms in hostels to staying in hotels and Airbnb.
Sheree said: “We’ve booked them as we went along – it’s quite easy to manage when you’re away and keeps things a little more spontaneous!”
From Bali, Sheree and Simon went on to visit Sydney, Hawaii, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Miami, Brazil, Peru, Turkey and Rome in Italy.
Now, the globetrotters are planning to go back to South America and Thailand, two favourite locations of the trip.
Sheree said of the benefits of travelling at an older age: “You’re a little wider and you have the ability to gather more financial support.
“We’ve enjoyed every minute of the freedom and the pure joy of travelling around the world.”
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